Scraper draft gear



Filed Feb. 23, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE Antenna 1'. moron, or wrLLooenaY, onto, Assmnoa 'ro .rna nucmn cum: ,nm norsr some, or EUCLID, 01110, a conroaa'rron' or 01:10

semen. nwr em Application filed February as, 1929. Serial No. 341,999.

This invention relates to draft gears for scrapers or similar earth-moving machines, and particularly to the type of scraper capable while being dragge along the surface" of the earth, of scooping a load into the bucket which forms a part of thescraper, transporting the load tothe dumping location, and there-dumping the same, al of'these operations being selectively controlled at the will of the operator. p

More particularly my invention embraces the automatic type of draft gear wherebythe angularity of the bucket li as the bucket is loading, is automatically a justed.

Such a draft gear is illustrated and described in detail in my 00 ending application, Serial No. 146,651,fi ed November'6, 1926, now Patent No. 1,714,118 and the present invention, generally speaking, comprises improvements in the draft gear there set forth; to the end of simplifying and thus cheapening the construction, and at the same time improving the action of the gear.

The exact nature of my invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be ap arent from the following de-' scription ta en in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1 and 2 are views in side elevation showing an example of my invention applied to a scraper, these two figures illustrating the parts shown in two positions to which they may have automatically adjusted themselves, showing the range of bucket adjustment in diggingposition; Fig. 3 is a detail view likewise in elevation showing the bucket in dumping position; Fig. 4 is a detail plan view as in the horizontal plane, line 4-4, Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a detail section as in the horizontal plane of line 5--5, Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a detail partly in section, of the draft eye and immediately associated parts; and Fig. 7 is a detail in elevation showing the manner of connecting my scraper with draft means.

With reference now to the drawings the scraper chosen for illustration and specific descri tion of my invention is generally typical o the rotary bucket type commonly known as the Fresno type, the bucket 1 of which is generally cylindrical having circunew 2. The yoke structure described also sociate lar runners 2 at its ends, the runners bein spaced by back and bottom plates 3 and 4 an filled in. with end plates 5 whereby a scoop is had capable of rolling on the runners.

Draft is applied to the bucket by the arms 6 connected y atransverse tubular member 7 to form a bail or yoke structure, the arms having connection with the bucket by means of studs 8 located concentrically of the runincludes a tongue 9 extending forwardly of the member 7 and located centrally thereof. -A transverse rock shaft 10 is carried by the bail and has on its ends arms 11 arranged in the planes of stops 12, 12, extending outwardly of the runners'2. A lever arm 13 extends ufwardly of the shaft 10 and has astherewith a forwardly extending arm 14. A bolt 15 is provided at its lower extremity. with means connecting it to the tongue 9 and passes upwardly through an opening in the arm 14. A retainer ring 16 is secured on the bolt 15 and a spring 17 is positioned upon the bolt 15 in compression between the r1ng 16 and the arm 14, the nuts 18 being turned onto the bolt 15 above the arm 14. The adjustment of the nuts 18 is such that the ends of the arms 11 will be maintained by the spring 17 in the paths of thestops 12,12.

Thus as the bucket is dragged forwardly (to the right, Figs. 1-3) by the yoke or bail its tendenc will be to roll (clockwise in these figures). he arms 11, however, are engageable with the stops 12, 12 to prevent such rolling; the stops 12 being shown engaged in Fi 1 and 2 whereby the bucket is maintaine in digging or loading position. After loading of the bucket and transportation of the same to dumping position a forward pull upon the lever arm 13, as by the pull line 19, which may extend to the tractor by which the scraper is drawn, will move the arms 11 against the action of the spring 17, to clear the stops 12 and allow the bucket to roll forwardly. Release of the line 19 allows the spring 17 to immediately return the arms 11 to enga e the stops 12' (Fi '3) whereby the buc et is retained in umpin position. After the load is dumpe an- 1M yoke members and hence the axis of the bell other pull upon the line similarly allows the bucket to return to digging position where itstructure secured with the. bucket; while the side members 21 and brace members 23 form a secondary yoke structure having pivotal connection in the line of the joints 20 and 24 with the primary yoke structure; whereby a double yoke structureis hadwith a joint medial of its length. I p

Secured between the forwardends of the members 21 is a bracket 25 in which is mounted for movement about the transverse axis 26, a sleeve 27. Slidable in the sleeve 27,

is a draft bar 28, the forward extremity of which carries a coupler 40 for connection with draft means as will be described.

Also mounted between the side members 21 for movement about the transverse axis. 29 is a bell, crank lever 30 having the up wardly, and downwardly and rearwardlyextending arm's indicated. The upwardly extending arm of the bell crank has connection as at 35 with the clevis 32 on the rearward extremity of the draft bar 28. The downwardly and rearwardly extending arm of the bell crank has connection as by the links 31 with the forward extremity of the tongue 9.

The clevis 32 has an upstanding portion 33 provided with a threaded opening into which is turned a bolt 34. Loosely fitting upon the draft bar 28 between the sleeve 27 and clevis 32 is a sliding bracket 36 having an arm 37 provided with afsocket 38 to receive the end of the bolt 34., Positioned about the draft bar, in compression between the members 27 and 36, is aspring 39.

The tendency of the spring 39is obviously to move the draft'bar rearwardly and thus maintain the coupler 40 hearing against the sleeve 27 as in Fig. 2; the tension of the spring and thus the magnitude of such tend-. ency being regulated by the position of the bracket 36 WhlCh'iIl turn is controlled by adjusting the bolt 34. For this purpose the bolt 34 is provided at its rearward end with a head 41 carrying a pair of horns 42'between which a bar, stick or similar handy I I I is drawn as by tractor ;,over unevenf'ground, the scraper structure will not-be *affected by article may be inserted to serve as a lever.

The proportion and arrangement of the parts of the draft gear is such that, as shown, I I I 3 through the coupling. '1

in Fig. 2, the yoke structures Willbe maintained by the spring in straightened relation,

with the joint therebetween, and in fact the crank 30, all substantially in the plane of ing sufficient to overcome the spring 39. The

parts will then. assume the position of Fig. 1, or of course dependent upon the magnitude of the resistance, a position between those of Figs. 1 and 2. Movement from the posi-v tion of Fig. 2 will always involve breaking of the joint between the yoke structures upward- 11y 'ofthe straightened relation so that the bucket'will tilt rearwardly to elevate its 1i over the obstruction or to'non digging pos1- tion as the case may be. Such tilting of the bucket will also be accompanied by a shortening o'f'the yoke structures which will largely compensate for the overall extension'between the coupler 40 and the bucket.

I t will be noted that whereas the bell crank connection gives a substantially constant ratio of movement between the draft bar and the tongue 9, the resistance of the spring increases as the parts are moved from the relation of Fig. 2, and likewise the resistance to joint of the doubleyoke stru'c- I serting the draft bar end within thecoupler and collar,.and insertingthe pin 45 by driving fit through the collarand draft bar, this last operation being hadthrough the {transverse opening described-pf-The" forward extremity of the couplerg40 is in theiform ofa clevis having connectionwith the draft eye 46 by means of a bolt 47, whereby. a hinge connection about a' horizontal axis i'slhadt The draft eye 46 ,isjadapted for sauaa th swivel connection with v Ill the usual vert ically"disposed draft; in "A of;

atractor draw bar. B r the like w "'ereby a hinge connectioniona vertical axisisghadr 1 l Thusthetwohinge.connectionslcompriseQa eludes both this universaly-joint-f andQ the swivel described,-whereby'where tliesscraper any -wea'vingl 1strainsotherwise 'transmitted For the purpose of'adjustingthe" position of thelip 48 of thebucket diggingposition, I provide a mounting' for theshaft 10 I. universalejoint, and the couplingimeans in I capable of adjustment longitudinal of the scraper. To this end I mount the shaft 10 in brackets 49 having portions 50 extending alon side the arms 6 each with an outstanding flange 51. The portions 50 are longitudinally slotted as at 54 and secured each with its arms 6 by a bolt 52. Under the outer head of the bolt 52 is a member 53 havin an outstanding flange 55 adjacent the flange 51. A bolt 56 passes through the flanges 51 and 55. Thus tightening of the nut 57 on the bolt 56 draws the bracket 49 rearwardly rotating the bucket counterclockwise, Figs. 1-3, and elevating the lip thereof. After the pro er adjustment is made the bolt 52 is tightene What I claim is:

1. In a scraper having a bucket and means for controlling the same for effecting loading and unloading thereof, a draft gear comprising a primary yoke structure secured with said bucket, a secondary yoke structure having pivotal connection with said primary yoke structure whereby a double yoke structure is had with a joint medial of its length, one of said v yoke structures having a tongue portion extending beyond said joint, the other of said yoke structures having a pair of side membersone on either side ofsaid tongue portion, operating means between said side mem bers and extendin therebelow and having connection with sa' l tongue portion and movable to control the angular relation of said structures, and means for associating said operating means with draft means whereby said movement thereof will be upward dependent upon draft, a

2. In a scraper having a bucket and means for controlling the same for effecting loading and unloadingthereof, a draft gear comprising a yoke structure secured with said bucket and having a forwardly extending tongue portion, a secondary structure in pivotal connection with said yoke structure and having a pair of side members, operating means between said side members and extending thereabove and therebelow and having connection with said tongue portion and movable to control the angular relation of said structures, and means for associating said operating means with draft means whereby said movement thereof will be upward dependent upon draft. V 1

3. In a scraper having a bucket and means for controlling the same for effecting loading and unloading thereof, a-draft gear comprising a primary yoke structure secured with sald bucket, a secondary yoke structure having pivotal connection with said primar yo e structure, a draft bar adapted for 'dra t association with draft means, "said draft bar having slidable supporting connection with the forward end of said secondary yoke structure, and operating means supported on one of said yoke structures and associating said draft bar with the other of said yoke strucwill be tures,'whereby a double yoke structure is had with a joint medial of its length and substantially in the plane of draft, and-movable upwardly to shorten said double yoke structure dependent upon draft.

4. In a scraper having a bucket and means and unloading thereof, a draft gear comprising a primary yoke structure secured with said bucket, a secondary yoke structure hav ing pivotal connection with said primary yoke structure, a draft bar adapted for draft associationwith draft means, said draft bar having slidable supportin connection with the forward end of sai secondary yoke structure, operating means supported on one of said yoke structures and associating said draft bar with the other of said yoke structures, whereby a double yoke structure is had with a joint medial of its length and substantially in the plane of draft, and movable upwardly to shorten-said double yoke structure dependent upon draft, and spring means mounted on said draft bar and arranged in opposition with said sliding movement and therefore in opposition to said shortening.

5. In a scraper having a bucket and means for controlling the same for effecting loading and unloading thereof, a draft gear comprising a primary yoke structure secured with said bucket, a secondary yoke structure having pivotal connection with said primary yoke structure, a draft bar adapted for draft association with said draft means, a sleeve pivotally mounted on the forward extremity of said secondary yoke structure, said draft bar-being slidable in said sleeve, a slidin bracket on said draft bar spaced from sai sleeve, a spring on said draft bar between said sleeve and said bracket, operating means supported on one of said yoke structures and associating said draft bar with the other of said yoke structures, whereby a double yoke structure is had with a joint medial of its length and substantially in the plane of draft, and movable upwardly to shorten said double yoke structure dependent upon draft, and means for adjusting said sliding bracket on said draft bar to variably oppose said joint movement.

6. In a scraper having a bucket and means for controlling the same for effecting load- .ing and unloading thereof, a draft gear comprising a primary yoke structure secured with the bucket, a secondary yoke structure having pivotal connection wlth said primary yoke structure, means adapted to associate the forward end of said secondary yoke structure with draft means for support thereby, where by a double yoke structure is had, with a joint medial of its length and substantially in the plane of draft whereby as the joint moves u wardly the double yoke structure ortened, and means for preventing downward'breaking of said joint, and for for controlling the same for effecting-loading V causing upward breakin of said joint dependent upon draft, sai last-named means including a pivoted level; having its pivotai axis in the horizontal plane of said second- 5 ary yoke structure.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my sig nature.

ARTHUR P. ARMINGTON 

